The film starred Smita Patil, Lalu Ram, Madanlal and Habib Tanvir.

The film charts the tumultuous life of a petty thief, Charandas (Lalu Ram).

Curiously he is a man of principles – an honest thief with a strong sense of integrity and professional efficiency.

He makes four vows to his Guru, that he would never eat in a gold plate, never lead a procession that is in his honour, never become a king and never marry a princess, thinking all of them are far out possibilities for him.

Later, his guru adds a fifth one - never to tell a lie and sets him off on his life's journey which leads him to a kingdom, where the turn of events makes him famous, and eventually he is offered the seat of political power which he has to refuse.